Corrective shields for toe deformities



April 12, 1960 c, FISHER 2,932,295

CORRECTIVE SHIELDS FOR TOE DEFQRMITIES Filed 001". 11, 1954 FIG'i F|G.2

n ,(IIIIIII INVENTOR GEORGE C. FISHER BY ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent CORRECTIVE SHIELDS FOR TOE DEFORMITIES George C. Fisher, Berwyn, Ill. Application October 11, 1954, Serial No. 461,502 1 Claim. (Cl. 128--81) periostitis, a form of ailment which is so painful that the patient cannot walk on the affected foot.

In view of the above conditions, it is one object of the present invention to provide a shield which is in the nature of a bridge placed underneath the affected toe, imposing a spreading influence on the same to raise the end of the toe from the surface supporting the foot, so that the ball of the toe may rest on such surface instead of on the end of the toe, and also to be comfortable to wear in the shoes.

A further object is to design the novel shield with a pad which forms a support for the arched portion of the affected toe while the pressure of the foot operates to straighten the toe and remove its end from the pressure area.

Another object is to design the novel shield in the manner of a band containing the pad referred to above, the

purpose of the band being primarily to retain the shield v in place and impose a leverage pull downwardly.

An additional object is to construct the band of the shield in a manner to support the pad on the inside and form a. doubled bottom by means ofan overlap.

A still further object is to provide a shield of the above character which is in one piece when handled and does not require any adhesive for its application or retention.

With the above objects in view, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the shield;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 on a smaller scale and showing the application of the shield; and

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the shield as applied in Fig. 4.

In accordance with the foregoing, specific reference tothe drawing indicates the shield as made up of the pad 10 and the band 11. The material of the shield preferably is of felt or sponge rubber, and the pad 10"is in the form of a. rectangular block whose ends are slightly concaved, as indicated at 12.

The band 11 is of lesser thickness than the pad 10, and its end portions overlap on the bottom, as indicated at 13. These end portions are cemented to each other; and the pad 10 is disposed inside the band as shown inv Fig. 1,

2331295 Patented Apr. 12, 1960 form seats for the bulging portions of the foot and toe on the underside, as shown in Fig. 4. In the application of the shield, it is advisable to work the pulpy part of the end of the toe through the opening of the shield first, instead of attempting to pull the shield on like a ring. This method is advisable particularly for enlarged flat end toes which usually are inflamed or infected.

With the shield applied as stated, it forms a bridge for the toe, the medial portion of the same resting on the pad 10. However, the pressure of the foot acts to spread the toe endwise on the underside, so that the com 15 on the end of the toe will be raised, and the ball 16 of the toe will be the part which meets the support of the foot, such as the shoe sole. Thus, the irritation of the toe by such support will be relieved, and the continued wearing of the shield will cause the corn to heal or disapp It will be evident that the construction of the novel shield utilizes the pressure of the foot to create a leverage from the base of the toe to the pulpy end of the foot from which the toe projects, so that a longitudinal stretching action to lessen the curve of the toe ensues. Further, the shield is of a form to be mounted on the toe without difficulty or any adhesive, so that it may be removed or discarded as often as desired. Further, the shield not only presents the primary support of the toe in the form of the pad 10, but reinforces the latter on the bottom by the doubled overlap 13. Further, the shield exerts a. locking influence to keep the toe in place and resists tendencies of toes to bend or twist endwise, correcting such tendencies. Further, the shield is in one piece'to all intents and purposes, so that it need not be assembled or adjusted within itself. Finally, the shield is composed of only two parts which are permanently cemented or glued together, these being of exceedingly simple construction.

While I have described the invention along specific lines, various minor changes or refinements may be made therein without departing from its principle, and I reserve the right to employ all such changes and refinements as may come within the scope and spirit of the appended claim. 7

I claim:

A corrective shield for toe deformities comprising a ring-shaped band designed to be positioned substantially vertically for receiving the toe in its upper portion, and a substantially fiat pad seating and secured in the lower portion of the hand, the sides of the pad opposite the band converging toward the bottom to substantially conform with those of said lower portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 21,790 Wheat Oct. 12, 1858 1,403,867 Reed Jan. 17, 1922 1,787,398 Sidgreaves Dec. 30, 1930 1,913,928 Kaufman June 13, 1933 1,930,413 Bruel Oct. 10, 1933 2,163,012 Schenk' June 20, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 138,015 Great Britain Jan. 29, 1920 835,035 Germany Mar. 27, 1952 

